Evanston, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Evanston, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 47.1% cheaper than Evanston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Evanston has a cost index of 126 while Waukegan sits at 86, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Evanston is $1,698/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $472,300.

Median household income in Evanston is $95,766 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+35.7%). The higher salaries in Evanston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Evanston spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.8°F vs 48.3°F). Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 32.3" in Evanston.